Chapter 6 : The Fifth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Power of the MOTHER OF GOD
She is the Mother of the world to come and Redeemer of our race
Continuing our translation of the 1845 reprint of Fr François Poiré's Triple Crown of the Mother of God (1643 French edition).
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| Notre Dame des Grâces, Cotignac.(Poggi, 2020) |
We are now going to consider the principal qualities of the divine Spouse Jesus Christ and to show how the Blessed Virgin, His Spouse most chaste, through participation may be said to partake of all these in a duly proportionate manner. This is a theme which I shall follow until the end of Part II and I shall begin by highlighting amongst the ancient figures the Great King Solomon as representing in a most excellent manner the Royal Perfections of the Saviour, remembering that he was recognised as such by St Irenaeus[1], St Gregory of Nyssa[2], St Bernard[3], St Isidore[4], St Prosper[5] and by several other doctors who made a serious study of this question.
My aim, however, is not to provide a long discussion on the titles by which the King of Glory Incarnate is honoured but only to consider those which His Blessed Spouse possesses through the relationship that she has with Him. Let us begin with those of Father of the world to come and spiritual King, which were touched upon briefly in the preceding chapter.
Footnotes
[1] Lib. IV, c. 4.
[2] Homil. 7 in Cant.
[3] Serm. 27 in Cant.
[4] Lib. de Morte Sanctorum.
[3] P. II de Promissionibus, c. 27.
§ 1. Father of the world to come and Redeemer of men : first title of the King of glory incarnate
1 I am happy to call this the first title because of all those which could be given to a King I do not know of any which he would appreciate or esteem more highly than that of Father. It is the name that throughout history has been bestowed on the foremost Princes of the world, as being the fruit of their conquests and the prize for their most distinguished accomplishments. It is the name in which they take such pride that they have never claimed a greater reward for their work than to hear themselves called Fathers of the people or of the Fatherland. It is the name that God Himself has always found extremely pleasing, and by which more than any other He has wanted to be addressed when we are asking for His help. It is the title that the magnificent King Solomon prized more highly than all his treasure, and which he preferred to the sovereignty over the universe. It is the title by which he felt himself more greatly honoured than other princes do when they are crowned with laurels. It is the title that was awarded to him as a trophy, so to speak, for the wisdom he displayed and for the forty years of sublime peace which he gave to his subjects. It is the title which made him beloved of his own more than all the other royal qualities with which he was so richly endowed. In short, it was the title which he judged most worthy to be acquired and preserved, sparing no care or labour, as I will explain with greater detail elsewhere1. Returning now to the one who has occasioned this discussion, it is one of the main titles which the Prophet Isaiah gave2 to the King and Messiah over 2400 years ago, calling him the Father of the world to come, a title to which he added Prince of peace like a fruit to its branch, like a branch to its trunk, and like a trunk to the root from which it springs. This title is linked in an inseparable manner to that of Redeemer of men – if indeed these are two separate titles and not rather two different ways of wording the same title. This is why I did not deem it appropriate to deal with them separately.
Footnotes
[1] Chap. 11.
[2] Isai. ix. 6.
2 But what is it that I can sense and which fills me with fear, turning the blood in my veins to ice, filling my heart with dread and trembling? Why should I now be recalling an ancient ceremony of the Romans who had the same Goddess presiding on wedding days and at funerals, who had her providing black for mourning as well as the rich drapes for the wedding feast; holding in one hand bouquets of flowers for a day of rejoicing, and in the other hyssop and little cypress branches for the funeral; having on one side a violin to celebrate the wedding feast with music, and on the other a flute for mourning? Alas! I see the connection and I understand that my thought wants to tell me that this title of Father and Redeemer will cost the Prince of Glory dear and that the marriage which I have been discussing will be consummated only on Calvary and with great shedding of blood. What can this mean, dearest souls, when scarcely have we finished listening to the epithalamia and the hymns of joy, than it now becomes necessary to continue with epitaphs and lamentations? What can be happening! When already death makes its appearance, filling the nuptial chamber with blood, and when everywhere may be heard only sighs and weeping! Pray that your hearts may be strengthened so that you may to one side look upon the Spouse covered in His blood and borne to His death on His nuptial couch, or, more accurately, expiring on the nuptial couch itself; and to the other side look upon His sorrowful Spouse whose own soul a sword has pierced, near to dying through grief but nevertheless required by eternal considerations to deliver her Spouse and her Son to His death, to hold firm whilst He breathes His last. It is in truth a tragic transformation, but she was made his Spouse only on this condition and you will in fact see that it will issue in a favourable outcome.
3 It had moreover been decreed that the Lord was to receive his title of Redeemer and Father of the world to come at the point of a sword. The Apostle St Paul who had access to the records of the heavenly parliament refers to the decree in his letter to the Hebrews[1], saying: that it was expedient and reasonable that he through whom and for whom all things had been made, and who was through grace and glory to be the Father of many children, earning their salvation, should be subject to the rigorous laws of death. When in the Acts of the Apostles[2] there is a reference to the Saviour’s kingdom, it is referring to the Church, which He purchased with his own blood. Long before this, the Prophet Isaiah had mentioned this decree under the name of a pact or agreement between the Eternal Father and His Son; in fact he spoke so clearly about this that it looks as though he is referring to something already completed and proceeding towards its conclusion. After describing in some detail what was to happen on the day of Christ’s passion and of the complete victory of this great and victorious Prince, he went on to say[3]: If once he resolves to deliver his life to overcome sin, he will be rewarded with an infinite number of children and the will of God His Father will be fully accomplished in him. In return for the work of this conquest, He will be filled with joy and satisfaction; and forasmuch as of his own volition he will obtain justice for many, addressing their iniquity, I will grant unto him an unlimited posterity and he will see himself surrounded on all sides by the remains of his foes. This same Saviour also revealed this when he spoke mysteriously about the grain of wheat that had to fall into the ground and die so that it might bring forth much fruit, even a hundredfold[4]. This was in fact the culmination of nearly all the ancient prefigurations and promises of the Prophets.
Footnotes
[1] Hebrews ii.
[2] Acts. xx.
[3] Isai. liii.
[4] John xii. 24.
4 Now, if God has prepared for His beloved Son a Spouse and a Mother who is holy in every respect, giving her to Him as a companion and helper in the work of our redemption, then reason would require that she would play her due part in this and to apply herself thereto with diligence. This is what we shall be considering in the remainder of this Chapter.
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SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.
The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.
Totus tuus ego sum
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam.
© Peter Bloor 2025
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